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• rock
  rock

  noun

  a stone of any size.
• Rock
  Rock

  noun

  a male given name.

rock

¹ American  

[rok] / rɒk /

noun

1. a stone of any size.

   Please leave the creek rocks in place, as they can be habitats for bugs and other important creatures.

2. stone in the mass.

   It may be difficult to dig a basement for buildings that stand upon rock.

3. a large mass of stone forming a hill, cliff, promontory, or the like.

   They climbed up a nearby rock to eat their picnic lunch.

4. something resembling or suggesting a stone or mass of stone.

5. Geology.

   1. mineral matter of variable composition, consolidated or unconsolidated, assembled in masses or considerable quantities in nature, as by the action of heat or water.

   2. a particular kind of such matter.

      igneous rock.

6. a firm foundation or support.

   They have been a rock in my world, always there when I need a message of hope.

   My faith is my rock in times of trouble.

7. Chiefly British. a kind of hard candy often shaped into a cylindrical stick, variously flavored.

   The textures of this dessert are inspired by boiled sweets like sticks of rock and candy canes.

8. rock candy.

9. Informal. none rocks ice cubes for use in a beverage.

   He usually orders a whiskey without rocks.

10. Slang.

    1. a diamond.

    2. any gem.

11. Slang: Vulgar. Usually rocks testes.

12. Slang. Often rocks

    1. a piece of money.

    2. a dollar bill.

13. Slang.

    1. crack.

    2. a pellet or lump of crack.

14. curling stone.

    Regulation weight is verified for each rock before the curling match can begin.

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idioms

1. between a rock and a hard place, between undesirable alternatives.

2. get one's rocks off,

   1. to have an orgasm.

   2. to experience gratification; get thrills.

3. on the rocks,

   1. in or into a state of disaster or ruin.

      Their marriage is on the rocks.

   2. without funds; destitute; bankrupt.

   3. (of a beverage, especially liquor or a cocktail) with, or containing, ice cubes.

      Scotch on the rocks;

      a vodka martini on the rocks.

rock ² American  

[rok] / rɒk /

verb (used without object)

• rocks,
  present (3rd person singular)
• rocked,
  past participle,  past
• rocking
  present participle

1. to move or sway to and fro or from side to side.

   Synonyms:

   shake, roll

2. to be moved or swayed powerfully with excitement, emotion, etc.

3. Mining. (of sand or gravel) to be washed in a cradle.

4. to dance to or play rock music.

5. (of popular music) to have the driving beat characteristic of rock.

6. Slang. to be very good, impressive, exciting, or effective.

   This show really rocks.

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verb (used with object)

• rocks,
  present (3rd person singular)
• rocked,
  past participle,  past
• rocking
  present participle

1. to move or sway to and fro or from side to side, especially gently and soothingly.

   Oh, look! Her big brother is rocking the baby to sleep.

2. to lull in security, hope, etc.

3. to affect deeply; move or sway powerfully, as with emotion; stun.

   Everyone in the courtroom was rocked by the verdict.

4. to shake or disturb violently.

   A thunderous explosion rocked the waterfront.

5. Slang.

   1. to stir up; animate.

      We're gonna rock this joint tonight!

   2. to use, wear, or display in a showy, self-confident manner or to great effect.

      Only you could rock that hat!

      The game rocks some amazing new features.

6. Graphic Arts. to roughen the surface of (a copperplate) with a rocker preparatory to scraping a mezzotint.

7. Mining. cradle.

noun

1. a rocking movement.

   the gentle rock of the boat.

2. rock-'n'-roll.

adjective

1. rock-'n'-roll.

idioms

1. rock the boat, to disrupt the smooth functioning or routine of something.

   Don't rock the boat by demanding special treatment from management.

rock ³ American  

[rok] / rɒk /

noun

1. striped bass.

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Rock ⁴ American  

[rok] / rɒk /

Also Rocky

noun

1. a male given name.

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Rock ¹ British  

/ rɒk /

noun

1. an informal name for Gibraltar

2. a Canadian informal name for Newfoundland

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rock ² British  

/ rɒk /

noun

1. geology any aggregate of minerals that makes up part of the earth's crust. It may be unconsolidated, such as a sand, clay, or mud, or consolidated, such as granite, limestone, or coal See also igneous sedimentary metamorphic

2. any hard mass of consolidated mineral matter, such as a boulder

3. a stone

4. a person or thing suggesting a rock, esp in being dependable, unchanging, or providing firm foundation

5. a hard sweet, typically a long brightly-coloured peppermint-flavoured stick, sold esp in holiday resorts

6. slang a jewel, esp a diamond

7. short for rock salmon

8. slang (plural) the testicles

9. slang another name for crack

10. having to choose between two equally unpleasant alternatives

11. 1. in a state of ruin or destitution

    2. (of drinks, esp whisky) served with ice

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rock ³ British  

/ rɒk /

verb

1. to move or cause to move from side to side or backwards and forwards

2. to reel or sway or cause (someone) to reel or sway, as with a violent shock or emotion

3. (tr) to shake or move (something) violently

4. (intr) to dance in the rock-and-roll style

5. mining to wash (ore) or (of ore) to be washed in a cradle

6. (tr) to roughen (a copper plate) with a rocker before engraving a mezzotint

7. slang (tr) to impress by wearing (an item of clothing) or playing (a musical instrument)

   She can still rock a miniskirt

   He rocks a guitar like nobody’s business

8. informal to create a disturbance in the existing situation

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noun

1. a rocking motion

2. short for rock and roll

3. Also called: rock music. any of various styles of pop music having a heavy beat, derived from rock and roll

rock Scientific  

/ rŏk /

1. A relatively hard, naturally occurring mineral material. Rock can consist of a single mineral or of several minerals that are either tightly compacted or held together by a cementlike mineral matrix. The three main types of rock are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

2. A piece of such material; a stone.

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rock More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing rock

• between a rock and a hard place
• on the rocks
• steady as a rock

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Synonym Usage

See swing ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• rockable
  adjective
• rockless
  adjective
• rocklike
  adjective
• unrocked
  adjective
• rockingly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• rocking
  present
• rocked
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• rock
  simple
• rocks
  simple
• have rocked
  perfect
• has rocked
  perfect
• am rocking
  progressive
• are rocking
  progressive
• is rocking
  progressive
• have been rocking
  perfect progressive
• has been rocking
  perfect progressive

Past

• rocked
  simple
• had rocked
  perfect
• was rocking
  progressive
• were rocking
  progressive
• had been rocking
  perfect progressive

Future

• will rock
  simple
• will have rocked
  perfect
• will be rocking
  progressive
• will have been rocking
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of rock¹

First recorded in 1300–50; 1905–10 rock ¹ for def. 10; Middle English rokk(ke), from Old French roche, ro(c)que; compare Provençal, Spanish roca, Italian rocca, Medieval Latin rocca, rocha (becoming late Old English -rocc in stānrocc “stone-rock, obelisk”); cf. roche alum

Origin of rock²

First recorded in 1100–50; Middle English rokken, rocken, rocke(n) “to rock (a cradle),” Old English roccian; cognate with Middle Dutch rocken “to stir, make move,” German rücken “to move, shift,” Old Norse rykkja “to jerk, pull”

Origin of rock³

First recorded in 1690–1700; short for rockfish

Explanation

If you are asked to rock a baby, please do not throw a stone at it. Instead, move the baby gently from side to side. If this doesn't calm the child, play some loud rock music. When rocking a baby you move gently, but when you're told not to “rock the boat” the rocking movement referred to is more violent, enough to tip the boat over. This kind of motion has more in common with what you do when “rocking out” listening to music. A rock is also a lump of mineral, and if we say someone is "like a rock," we mean he's totally dependable.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rock Rock rocks rocked rocking

His book is a deft and entertaining consideration of recent rock history and the cultural forces that have shaped it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

He said there was a large military presence in Lalibela, famous for being home to 13th Century churches hewn from rock and a holy site for millions of Orthodox Christians.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

He previously suffered a leg injury that left him with a limp and has apparently adapted his lifestyle, preferring to spend his time lazing on a rock, rather than fighting with fellow bears.

From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026

Rod Stewart, 81, has announced that his Final Encore tour in 2027 will be his last rock ‘n’ roll tour ‘ever, ever, ever.’

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026

I nodded and was just reaching my hand out toward the holographic rock when Regan shouldered past me and walked right through.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Rock critic Robert Christgau called the album “a profit-taking throwaway,” but John Morthland in Creem magazine wrote, “This material does have its attractions.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

“There are significant offshore resources in existing leases that might be curtailed by the legislation,” said Rock Zierman, chief executive of the California Independent Petroleum Assn., in an email.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026

In 2022, Gavin Guffey, a 17-year-old living in Rock Hill, S.C., was texting someone with the handle Bellajannet28.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

For many wrestling fans growing up meant watching stars like The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin and John Cena on television.

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

With her help, they were able to convince his mom and father to let him stay at Church Rock for as long as the project went.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young

Nasa chose the name Torridon due to the Torridonian Supergroup, a geological formation in the north-west Highlands that contains some of the oldest evidence of life of any rocks in the UK.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

Nasa scientists are studying rocks in the Scottish Highlands to help them understand if there was once life on Mars.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

Over the past few decades, when markets have hit the rocks, central bankers have reliably ridden to the rescue.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 30, 2026

These rocks showed almost no evidence of having been altered by water.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 30, 2026

Crawling across the pebbly rocks and sharp white shells, the blood flowing red from the cut on her knee, Nim threw handfuls of seaweed from one end of the beach to the other.

From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr

"He rocked the crowd. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand. He still does it on the television, and he's the reason that most people watch The Voice," he said.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

He rebelled as a teen who rocked out to AC/DC and Quiet Riot, moving out of the family’s house after a fight with his father.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

He’s been so rocked by recent tech layoffs over the past few years that he began taking part-time nursing classes at a local community college.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026

Earlier this year, another relationship brouhaha — this one dubbed “Scamanda” — hit Bravo’s “Summer House” after a secret romance between long-time cast members Amanda Batula and West Wilson rocked the friend group.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

Larger boats with more powerful motors passed by, throwing up waves that rocked the little boat.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

Also offered: a straw maze, pumpkin decorating, a petting zoo, giant rocking horses, slides and more.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

Claims that Canadian-Haitian writer Thelyson Orelien used AI tools to write his best-selling debut novel are rocking the French literary world and posing questions about how AI can be detected.

From Barron's ● Sep. 25, 2026

The scene where Harris approached a captured bug, rocking an ankle-length black trench coat with his blonde hair in a close crew cut, was the closest “Troopers” came to clubbing the audience in the ribs.

From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2026

"There was just a lot of rocking and confusion," she told the BBC's Newsday programme.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

She clambered into the boat, waited for it to stop rocking, and started out.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

Related Words

• earth
• gravel
• lava
• metal
• rubble
• slab